Solar panel support systems including moveable single axis tracker supports

Abstract

The invention comprises embodiments of structural supports for solar panels installed within solar arrays. Some of the embodiments include a combination of cable and truss supports, and others include truss supports rigidly mounted to columns. Other embodiments include single axis tracker devices for mounting solar panels within a solar array of an installation. The devices can be roller mounted for selective horizontal displacement of the mounted solar panels at any desired location within the installation. The density or number of devices can also be adjusted within the installation to provide precise control of sunlight or shade for underlying vegetation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A solar panel array comprising:
 a solar panel support structure spaced from the ground at a desired height; at least one single axis tracker mounted to said support structure, said single axis tracker including a roller for selectively displacing said single axis tracker horizontally across said solar panel support structure; 
 said solar panel structure including a horizontally extending cable upon which said roller is mounted so that said roller directly contacts said cable and when said single axis tracker is displaced horizontally across said solar panel structure, a weight of the at least one single axis tracker is applied to said cable by said roller; 
 said at least one single axis tracker having a plurality of solar panel mounted thereto; 
 said at least one single axis tracker further including a base, a bearing assembly mounted to said base, and a motor assembly for causing rotation of said plurality of solar panels about a center axis thereof; 
 wherein the motor assembly is mounted between rocker supports and the motor assembly has a motor shaft that extends beyond opposite ends of the motor housing; and wherein respective solar panels of said plurality of solar panels are secured to each end of the motor shaft; and 
 at least a pair of columns for supporting the solar panel support structure to the ground. 
 
     
     
       2. The solar panel array of  claim 1  further including:
 a control module communicating with said motor assembly for selective control of the position of said plurality of solar panels. 
 
     
     
       3. A solar panel array comprising:
 a solar panel support structure spaced from the ground at a desired height; at least one single axis tracker mounted to said support structure, said single axis tracker including (a) a roller for selectively displacing said single axis tracker horizontally across said solar panel support structure (b) a motor assembly having a motor shaft (c) a base; and (d) a bearing assembly mounted to said base enabling the motor assembly to rotate the motor shaft about a center axis thereof; 
 said solar panel structure including a horizontally extending cable upon which said roller is mounted for the selective horizontal displacement of said single axis tracker; 
 wherein the motor shaft of the motor assembly extends beyond opposite ends of the motor assembly; and wherein respective solar panels of a plurality of solar panels are secured to each end of the motor shaft; 
 at least a pair of columns for supporting the solar panel support structure to the ground; and 
 wherein said motor assembly causes rotation of said motor shaft which in turn causes rotation of said plurality of solar panels. 
 
     
     
       4. The solar panel array of  claim 3  further including:
 a control module communicating with said motor assembly for selective control of the position of said plurality of solar panels.